ITIC MEA 2024

Regional director of ACCESS Health International, MENA region; an expert in healthcare management, healthcare sector reform, and medical education for 30 years. Also, a well-known entrepreneur and a healthcare consultant. She was listed in the second publication of 100 Most Influential African Women in 2020 by Avance Media; Dr. Hala Zaid is Egypt’s former Minister of Health and Population; and the world champion in hepatitis C elimination. She is also the Founder and Chairperson of Authentic for Development and Management of Medical Projects, one of the Middle
East’s leading healthcare consultancy corporations.

Bernadette Breton’s career in Africa began in 1982 when she relocated on a two-year medical contract to Johannesburg. She believes this is where her true career in healthcare began – and 40 years later she is still there.

Bernadette’s good fortune and the learning opportunities she had in those early days fuelled a newfound passion within which she took the bold step of founding Alliance International Medical Services (AIMS) now 22 years in existence and a fortunate partner to many, having nurtured local collaborations within South Africa and expanding its reach across the Sub-Saharan Continent.

AIMS stands as a testament to dedication to improving medical services and patients’ outcomes. As they celebrate 22 years in existence she believes that they have proven themselves as a distinctive leader in Assistance Services across the African Continent.

The journey continues, driven by passion for excellence and an unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare on the continent.

Jane is the Medical Assistance Manager at AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD). She is a certified Critical Care Nurse with over 25 years’ work experience in the in-hospital ICU and pre-hospital setup as a flight nurse. A graduate nurse, she heads the busy assistance services unit at AFD and has been instrumental in turning it from an add-on service that supported AFD’s air ambulance services, to a fully-fledged revenue line that has its own staff. She oversees the day-to-day activities of the assistance services department and more importantly, plays a key role in on-boarding new and maintaining existing client relationships. She supports the medical unit with patient repatriations on commercial carriers and with training of life support courses in her capacity as a certified AHA (American Heart Association) BLS and ACLS instructor.

Dr Reham Salama Elshinnawy is Project Manager of the Health Tourism Project at Egypt Healthcare Authority, and has experience of successfully managing international insurance in the governmental healthcare sector. She managed healthcare operations professionally and delivered comprehensive healthcare services among the hospital network she manages in six touristic governorates.

Dr Asaad M. Riad has been General Manager of Egypt In-Touch Assistance since 2007. He joined Temos as Regional Office Director in Egypt in 2016 and became a Certified Assessor in 2018 and a Member of the Assessors’ Advisory Board TAAB in 2019. He is a medical doctor, consultant radiologist, and has a Master’s Degree in Radio-diagnosis. Dr Asaad also has a Managed Healthcare Professional MHP from AHIP, and a Professional Academy for Healthcare Management PAHM from AHIP. He is an Internal Auditor, and a Certified Hospitality Department Trainer. He was awarded the BID International Arch of Europe for Quality and Technology in Frankfurt in 2015.

Hassen started his professional career in 2001 as a consultant in Paris for European Financial Institutions, particularly in the asset management and securities services sectors.

In 2005 he joined the asset management arm of AXA Group where he successfully led cross-functional change management initiatives for alternative asset management teams.

He moved to the Middle East in 2007 and joined the Gulf operations of AXA Group as a Program Manager where he enhanced his program and change management skills in the context of cultural diversity and pragmatic execution within a high growth market.

In 2010 he became Head of Strategy for the Gulf and Middle East Region where he was leading corporate development (including M&A and distribution partnerships), strategic and financial planning as well as a companywide efficiency programme.

Hassen was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member for AXA Green Crescent, in 2014, leading the UAE Life Insurance market entry for AXA as well as acting Chief Life Officer for AXA across the Gulf region.

He moved to the trade credit insurance industry in 2018 by joining Coface Group. In his Chief Executive Officer capacity for Middle East and Africa, he is led a team of 100 Credit Risk Management professionals with direct P&L responsibility over a diversified portfolio of countries and partnerships.

In 2023 he joined Europ Assistance as Chief Executive Officer overseeing Asia, Pacific & Middle East. In that capacity he’s leading the operations and expansion of Europ Assistance Group footprint across this wide, diverse, and fast-growing set of markets.

Laila is the Founder and CEO of Health Beyond Borders in Dubai – a bespoke Dubai-based healthcare advisory firm. Prior to this, Laila was the CEO of the Health Policy and Strategy sector at Dubai Health Authority (DHA). She led the process of the Dubai health reform for Dubai Emirate that took place in 2007 and was responsible for the development of the Dubai Health Insurance Model 2009. She also led the Dubai medical tourism initiative in 2012 to place Dubai on the world health tourism map. Laila has had an advisory role with leading healthcare providers and Government authorities in the UAE and GCC in the areas of system transformation, health reforms, investment, growth and cost containment, and medical travel. She also worked as an independent consultant for the Abu Dhabi Government Department of Health for their Medical Tourism initiative.

Laila graduated from the College of Allied Health Science, Kuwait University and secured her Masters in Executive Healthcare Administration from Zayed University. She is a graduate of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Executive Leadership program and the Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Distinction. She has also been awarded the Feigenbaum Excellence Leadership Award for women’s leaders; has been noted as one of 50 GCC Women leaders by World CSR Day & World Sustainability; as one of the 50 Women in Healthcare & Wellness in Mumbai; and as one of the World’s Greatest Women Achievers by URS Asia One. Laila served as a member of the Board of Governors for Rak Medical & Health Sciences University as well as the Dubai Pakistan Association, and Human Health Education & Research Foundation which are both not-for-profit. She is also a member of the Global Health Travel Council since 2013.

Salome is the Lead Security Analyst for East and Southern Africa at International SOS, based out of the Dubai Regional Security centre in the UAE. She has worked for International SOS for over five years and was previously based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Salome has previously worked for the United Nations, the Kenyan High Commission, and Manchester City Football Club. She is a dual South African-Kenyan national with a strong interest in African issues, and holds two masters degrees in International Political Economy and Development Studies from universities in the UK and South Africa respectively.

Dr Ahmed Monir is an accomplished health and wellness expert, founder, and leader of the LGA Assistance Group (LGA Assistance, Qatar Assistance, KSA Assistance, and the soon to launch Africa Assistance, East & West Africa Assist, and Egypt Aid) which focuses on medical and travel assistance. He is also currently spearheading a project that will change the playing field for medical tourism. Throughout the past 20 years, Ahmed’s passion has been to inspire people in investing in their health and wellness.

Backed by his MA in Medicine from Cairo University, his medical experience, and travel enthusiasm, Ahmed is known for his advocacy to bridge the body and mind. Through the organisations he founded, he strives to share his vision with millions of people and travellers.

His visionary outlook has earned him opportunities to work on the global market with projects that were entrusted to his group, most recently in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. With his leadership, LGA Assistance Group created a ground-breaking tool called Healthcare Provider Auto-Selection System that redefines how we picture, do, and innovate cost-containment strategies. Whatever Ahmed puts his heart into, it flourishes and grows.

After graduating from the Political Science and International Relations Department (Fr) at Marmara University in 1996, Bilge Bora had a master’s degree in both Business Administration and Marketing at Yeditepe University in 2001. Bora,who started her career at Koçbank in 1996, worked in the Sales and Retail Banking departments for many years. After working as Branch Manager, Regional Manager and Sales Manager at Türkiye Ekonomi Bankası, she worked as Sales Manager and Bancassurance Director at Akbank, Garanti BBVA and Türk Ekonomi Bankası. Working as the  Customer Communication Director at BNP Paribas Cardiff Pension as of May 2015, Bora resigned from this position on July 1, 2022, and became the General Manager of marm assistance.

Bilge Bora, who is fluent in both English and French, is also a Professional Coach, Mentor, and Internal Trainer.

Dr Jermine El Kala is a healthcare professional with a comprehensive background in health insurance and medical administration.

In 2004, her journey in the healthcare sector began when she earned her Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery from the esteemed Faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University, Egypt. She joined a Maternal and Child Health Care Centre in Alexandria, Egypt, as a General Practitioner and was there for five years.

To further enhance her skills and knowledge in the medical field, in 2011, Jermine obtained a Diploma in Microbiolofy from the High Institute of Public Health at Alexandria University, Egypt.

In 2012 Jermine’s professional journey took an international turn as she joined MASH International in Dubai, UAE, initially as a Precertification Administrator, progressing through various role.  She now holds the role of Chief Medical Officer and Network Manager.

Leading the Medical, Precertification and Network teams, Jermine oversees case management procedures, and spearheads projects to enhance global healthcare insurance accessibility by fostering partnerships with different healthcare providers globally to ensure that the network aligns with local and international market standards.

Jermine is actively participating in numerous healthcare insurance conferences and seminars to implement and comply with related best practices internationally. Her primary aim is to strike a balance between quality of care and cost effectiveness with the main focus being on patient wellbeing.

Lloyd is CEO of the TRIP Group and the former Overseas Security Advisor to the British Government. Throughout his career Lloyd has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of personnel abroad. His high-level insights and behind-the-scenes assignments have been invaluable in safeguarding national interests and protecting those deployed on overseas operations.

Lloyd’s knowledge of international security is nothing short of remarkable. With experience of operating in over 80 countries, including some of the world’s most dangerous and challenging regions, he’s developed a deep understanding of the complexities of geopolitics. He has been responsible for providing security briefings to ambassadors, ministers and the heads of the UK’s intelligence agencies, as well as international corporations and NGOs. Lloyd is author of the highly acclaimed book, The Travel Survival Guide and regularly provides commentary for the media on travel security related stories.

Jonathan Cooper (JC) is the managing director and founder of WIS Group Ltd; through its group companies WIS provides technology and marketing management solutions to insurers and distributors across the GCC that enables efficient distribution of travel related products. With a career spanning over 30 years in insurance, JC has worked with the world’s leading providers in the travel & retail sectors and crafted some of the most innovative and impactful customer solutions. JC has been based in Dubai for the last 10 years, has a passion for travel, and considers it his personal mission to improve traveller protection in the market, while realising the full commercial potential that this presents.